I haven’t shared much from the DIG + CO. land with you all lately. I’ve been a busy elf. Imagine fabric scraps flying through the air like confetti as I snip and stitch and occasionally seam rip my way from idea to post office.
This time is year always feels crazy in the best ways: both my kids’ birthdays, my busiest time of year for work, the holidays. It’s in the fullest days that I am most invigorated, inspired and creative. I always wish I had big ideas in September when the day’s ease allows for time to muscle out new concepts. But, alas, those ideas come when I don’t have that time. My muse arrives at the last minute and begs me to get up at 4 in the cold, black night and get to work. So I do.
I started GEO by dig this chick a little over ten years ago. I was still working full time at the Missoula Art Museum. Margot came to work with me often and a while later, Ruby swam around in my belly. When Ruby was born, I quit the museum to lean into making and writing. Well, and mothering! It was all always for the mothering of my two loves.
The industry and market and advent of social media have pushed it all around to where we are now. I often feel like I’m lost in the shuffle, or more accurate: running behind the shuffle sometimes feeling like I want to catch up but mostly just getting groovy with the view from here. It’s moving fast and I’ve never thought bigger is better. I bristle when confronted with the realities of online game-playing. So I just keep thinking: I can just do it my way. What is my way?
I want to put things into the world that are beautiful and made well (by humans, not machines). I support local industry, inspiring businesses and I pay my employees well. I want to support my family with my work but not at the expense of being with my family and *that* informs how my business grows and what my business sells. And I want my business’s reach to improve this world: we are very mindful about our impact on the environment, we speak up in support of human rights for all humans, we give as generously as we can, we sell things that will last a long, long time.
left: set of 2 tea towels / youth hoodie
It all started when I thrifted a few bodysuits while pregnant with Margot and sourcing baby things secondhand. I stitched over a few stains on some clothes: an ant, a bird and a Montana. (I found this ancient post with tiny old school blogger photos to proove it! Ha.) People liked them and asked me to make more and a few years later, I had a sustainable business. Well, it felt that way to me anyway! It was definitely risky leaving my salary and benefits but it felt right in my guts.
our new kangaroo pillow! made from the leftover Camp Blanket scraps
Shifting to DIG + CO. is my favorite development in the last decade. A few years ago, I was feeling bored with my work and decided to branch out and work with others. CO. = Community, Collaboration, Cooperative, Company. I felt like the world of makers — online, at craft fairs and so on — was becoming competitive and cut throat and copy cat in an icky way. But looking back I think I was giving it all too much attention. We all have our own brains and hearts and there is plenty of creative room for every human. Any which way, my angst pushed me to create DIG + CO. as a response to the noise. A space to support and celebrate artfully made things for your homestead and adventures.
day trip knife + board set by Piper Handcraft / beeswaxy reusable food wrap by Beeswrap
hand forged pizza cutter by Pequea Valley Forge
utility apron printed by our friends Frontline Design
Anyway, thank you so much for your involvement in our family business over the years! From reading here, to purchasing things from us to just generally being awesome. Who knows what I’ll be writing about and making in ten more years? Andy and I will likely be empty nesters and might be completely unplugged and living in the woods…I’ll have long witchy hair and giant vats of kombucha and goats…and maybe a llama.
My GEO stuff remains the foundation of it all so today – where it all started – and I am offering up a little sale! 20% off all GEO goods. Use code GEOLOVE. Sale ends 11/29/17.
And how about a good ol’ giveaway? Yes. Leave a comment here on this post for a chance to win $50 store credit at DIG + CO.
Winner: Angelika
79 Comments
Love reading how you started. I so enjoy what you create.
I’ve been reading since Ruby was a baby, seeing a blurb somewhere on your social sites directing me to your blog because you “wrote a thing” always makes my day a little better.
Hoping to be in a better financial position soon so I can order all the things I’ve had my eye on!
One of my most favorite clothing items for my girls was the Goldilocks and three bears jacket you custom made me. Still have it(6 years later) and plan to use it in a quilt for them one day❤️
You’re inspiring!
Nici! I’ve been following you since the babies were tiny. Before I was even pregnant and now my oldest is 6.5! How time takes time but no time at all.thanks for reminding me to slow down and follow my passion always.
So great to see pictures from back when you started!! I feel like I’ve been following you that long, well not quite the beginning but pretty close!! Such great work that you do and put out into the world.
I love both the blog and your insta Mama! My son Harrison is 9 and I’ve loved traveling the road of motherhood alongside you (haha i hope that doesn’t sound creepy).
Thanks for finding the words to many of the feelings I’ve got swirling too. If you ever find yourself in eastern PA, you’ll have to come visit!
You rock!
It’s been such a joy and inspiration watching you and your sweet family grow over the past decade (!?!?). Thank you for sharing your gifts with us all.
I remember you way back when. Congrats on your success and looking forward to following your journey in the next ten years.
I’ve been following you for such a long time, seeing your history in this post brought back memories! I love what you stand for and what you create. Keep it up, you’re inspirational.
I love to give your Geo items as gifts. I always get the highest compliments back. Guess I better get better about letting you in on those glowing reviews.
Thank you for inspiring me. As an artist stuck in corporate life longing to nail, it’s thrilling to see someone taking a leap and keeping my dream of the possibility alive!
Love seeing the history and how your business has evolved!
What a wonderful story! I enjoyed hearing about how you got started and I love your attitude!
I love the creativity in both your words as well as in the beautiful sewn items you create. I wish you continued happiness and success in the future.
I’ve loved your aesthetic, art and parenting philosophy since I found your blog in 2010. Kudos on this anniversary!
You’re blog is a joy to read. Thank you for always being authentic.
you are such an inspiration. So happy there are business women like you!
Nici! This is so beautiful and moving to read! Thank you for being so open and honest and sharing your light with the world! You are appreciated! XOXO
Love your story and your products. Your t shirts are awesome and fun talking points when wearing. Sharing your story is always fun.
I have been following your blog since 2010. Time flies! Sharing in your joys of motherhood and creativity led business. I have a few dig and co items on my personal Christmas wish list this year
I’ve enjoyed seeing/reading about your growth of family, business and garden.
Love this post. Have been reading forever, but never knew you started by re-purposing clothing. Thanks for sharing.
I love your blog and recently ordered my first item from Dig and CO. I am anxiously awaiting my advent calendar!
I am hoping to purchase the pizza cutter for my dad for Christmas, he just put in a wood fire pizza oven so it would be perfect! Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Your blog and your living is an inspiration to me. I was born, and lived my first 15 years in Montana. Reading your words and seeing your pictures makes me feel more connected to my Montana roots. I love the products you sell on Dig & Co. I’m most looking forward to starting our advent(ure) calendar this Friday!
It always brings a smile to my face when I see your sewing machine in your posts. It’s just like mine! And SO great to use ~ I so enjoy your posts and admire the life you’re building with you family and community. Thank you for sharing it with us.
I love reading your words! Someday I will buy a camp blanket. You’re inspiring!
Your mothering journey and love inspires me always. I’ve been reading since Margot was a baby and I so appreciate your words and this glimpse into your life.
Its been so lovely to watch you over the years. And to sometimes run into you around Missoula. You’re my favorite local “celebrity”! Ha! Happy Holidays.
Congrats on building an amazing community of makers. It’s a hard, yet satisfying way to make a living. Kudos.
Nici, I am in awe of your creations! My daughter just turned 6 and adores the hoodie with her name on it that I ordered from Dig and Co. You are an inspiration- thank you for sharing your talents, your thoughts, and your life with us!
I love your stories and your company is pretty special. Seven years goes by a blink. 😊 I appreciate that you remind us that we don’t have to go with the rush of everything out there. My trips to Montana from Idaho remind me to slow down and enjoy the little things.
Always look forward to a new blog post! You are a gem 🌻
What fun to look back on your first creations!
Such an inspiring family💕 love all your stuff! #familygoals
You rock! I love your creativity and honesty. Need more caring humans like you on this earth. XO
I actually started following you when somehow I was linked to a post about sweet Alice. My how I adored that dog from afar. I believe Ruby had just come home from the hospital…that post about Ruby when she was born, it still makes my heart pound in my ears and takes my breath away. Love your sweet family (including Mabel!)
Always lovely to read your thoughts on momming and making. My girls are the same ages as yours, and reading your blog helped me through that first long winter with my second- who is now eight.. Thank you for sharing. I’d love to put something made by you under the tree.. one of my faves to share have been your MT potholders❤️
I stumbled on your blog so many years ago. I love the outdoors & seeing how you are sharing your love of outdoors with yours girls. Thanks for sharing! <3
Love the entire story. Keep going, wherever that leads you!
I love how your passions seep out through your words and your work!
Love your beautiful writing and what you’ve created in your business and family.
I have followed you for years, Nicci. And your influence has been such a blessing to me. Your blog has meant more to me than I could ever say.
With that said… I should properly introduce myself! – my name is jessie. I am a married mom of 4 (10, 8, 5 and 3). We are a homeschooling family that lives in a little trailer in a small town in central NY.
Thank you for all you do in making this world a warmer place. <3
I love how you tell your story and have enjoyed following along over the past few years. You are a role model!
What a great story. I have love reading about your adventures in life and absolutely think the things you are putting in the world are beautiful and from time to time, I cannot resist buying. I have learned that my state is not exciting as an applique:-) (CO), but have loved your travel journals for my kids and gifts for friends – the best gifts. I have followed since before my son was born and my daughters were little and now he is freight training towards seven. Adding that up is kind of crazy.
Nici, you never cease to inspire me. I’ve also been following you since my son was born 7 years ago. I have no idea how I found you but I’m so glad I did. Thank you for the reminder that following my gut usually means turning off social media and getting outside with my loves! The grass is not always greener, it’s perfect right where I am.
Love reading your posts!
Love your story— plus your photos are making me miss Montana 😍
I love that you left that photog capture your life/studio back then. After the fact those are the types of images I cherish. Keep up the great work.
love~Love~LOVE! It’s SO fun being part of your “Santa Shop” this year…you have quite an operation going!
xoxo!
Love the history and the story. I’ve already ordered presents from the site this year, would love a GC for myself 😉
Thank you for taking us back! Ive been a reader of your blog for many years..from balancing to little ones, to moving to where you are now, but living in the downstairs…it’s be a beautiful read…
I set time aside to read your posts, knowing i will once again get sucked in and want to adsorb every word.
Happy Holidays from my family to yours <3
I’m a huge fan, since i discovered you in about 2012. I’m gladdened b your life philosophy and the values you’re instilling in your darling daughters How can they not grow up to be kind, caring, involved adults with such a fine foundation! And the photographs are beyond beautiful.
Reading this blog post made me feel so happy and peaceful at once. I’ve never visited Montana but I love crafts and sewing. There’s something incredibly satisfying about making by hand a dress for your child or a pillow to give as a gift. You could tell it brings much joy to the recipient, too!
Everything you make is so cozy and cool. I think the kangaroo pillow will be perfect for my toddler. He can put his glasses in there and know where to find them when he wakes up.
Nici, love seeing these old pics – remembering seeing this Nici (on the blog and at MAM). These days it’s always a gift to read your words, remember our days in MT, think about the start of my own little fam, taking inspiration for our future from your unit. Thanks for sharing.
You are awesome!
I found your site about 10 years ago when I was trying to grow tomatoes on my NYC rooftop. Love your site and the shirts.
Love what you do and all your things. Keep up the awesome work!!
Thank you for your natural light and fresh air perspective. I’m inspired by you to use my heart and talents in new ways.
Hi! I have loved reading your blog for several years now. I’m a baker/gardener/wanna be sewer and I have a not-so-secret love for Montana. I travel to Missoula for work and always hope that I will run into you downtown sometime. 😉 I also get a kick out of seeing your stuff at that cute corner store right downtown!
So happy to have stumbled upon your shop at a Made Fair many moons ago and overheard someone complimenting you on your blog. Of course, I checked it out immediately! Even happier to spend a bit of time with you here and there and know what a kind and sweet soul you are. xo
i started following Dig about 8 years ago when i moved back to Montana. Our older daughters are about the same age and i didn’t have many friends at the time that had kids. So it was always nice reading and sharing in the motherhood experience! ❤️
I have been reading your blog so long that I remember when you posted a lot of those photos. Thank you for continuing to be a positive space in an ever changing place.
A decade! Very impressive! You are a joy to follow…keep doing your thing…it suits you!
I have followed you site for years and have totally enjoy it. Love watching you family and business grow. Thanks for sharing your story.
I found your blog ages ago and have been following along ever since. I’m not a sewer, writer, gardener or a mom for that matter! But I dig your writing. As I dig my own awesome life far away in NS, Canada. Thanks for sharing with us. Montana looks pretty amazing.
Such great products!
Thank you for sharing your heart and your creativity with us all! Your blog is a warm, comforting, grounding corner of the internet for me — and DIG + CO is a beautiful extension of it! Keep up the wonderful work! XOXO
I’m inspired by how you have curated your work to reflect your values:)
Oh my goodness that day trip set would be the handiest thing…I’m always cutting salami on my phone in the car!
Thank you thank you! As always, you inspire me so. Xxoo
Your words always make me think. Congrats on your success that you’ve achieved by doing it your way.
This is a beautiful slice of life!
I have loved reading your blog for a few years now. Thank you for your uplifting posts, pictures and inspiration.
It is nice to see this lovely story all put together. You have created an lovely company!
Thanks for sharing your creative projects and beautiful photos. Your joy in creating and mothering is inspiring.
Such a fun and generous giveaway, LOVE their site! Happiest of holidays!
xoxo
Love that you have managed to make a living and life doing what you love. It’s an inspiration to me (and many I know), knowing that it’s possible. Even though I’m not quite sure what my passion would be, it’s great to watch you living yours.